Memories of my Italian family centered around the kitchen. We cooked, baked and enjoyed many treasured recipes with love. A reflection of my favorite family stories and recipes. So, come in and stay awhile, have fun and you are welcomed back anytime....

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Welcome, we are all invited to a Birthday Party! Next weekend will be the July 4th which is the 240 year of our nations birth! Wishing you, my readers a Happy 4th of July! It’s a Birthday party so we have to celebrate! We're so grateful to live in this country and to celebrate the birth of our Nation. Most of us celebrate with family, picnics, BBQ’s, parades, and showing a great emphasis on the American tradition of Freedom. The most common symbol of Independence Day is the American flag, but other symbols include the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor and Macy’s fireworks display viewed all over the United States. I have to mention “thank you” to the servicemen, women, and animals who have been fighting for our freedom and keeping our country safe. These are the people that our founding fathers would have called our heroes!

Independence Day, is the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence. How it all began was in 1775, people in New England began fighting the British for their independence. On July 2, 1776, the Congress voted for independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was first published two days later on July 4, 1776. John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams on how the day should be celebrated. He described “pomp and parade, with shows, games, bells, bonfires, and illuminations” throughout the United States.

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, & Ben Franklin

Interestingly trivia: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and Presidents of the United States, died on the same day, July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence.

Fireworks have been used by Americans for July 4th since the nation's very beginning. The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China, where they were invented. The fireworks were used to accompany many festivities. It is a part of the culture of China and had its origin there; eventually it spread to other cultures and societies. The first recorded display in England celebrated the wedding of Henry VII in 1487. Shakespeare mentions them several times in his plays. As I recall when I was young, my dad would always buy a few packages of sparklers. When it got dark out, he would light them and watch us as we swirled them around in the sky. This was a lot of fun and it made us feel like we were part of the celebration.

Fireworks come in so many different shapes, colors, and sizes such as stars, rotating circles, fish, and even 3D shapes. They are sometimes programmed to music as in Disney World where the fireworks are fired off to music with colors. Fireworks are used in celebrations of theme parks, Olympics, Halloween, Christmas, New Years, and Political events. States such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Delaware ban all consumer fireworks completely. Only legal professional authorities can be approved to operate firework displays. Please be responsible and do not use fireworks unless a professional person is on hand. Please be sure that your pets are safe as well. They do not like the noise and tend to hide.

Tips On Baking A No Fail Cake:

Why A Cake Fails:

Has A Hump: The oven was overly hot when baking startedToo much flour used

Has Fallen:Temperature too lowPeeked while bakingRemoved from oven earlyToo much: shortening or sugar or baking powderNot enough flourCoarse Texture: Temperature not high enoughBatter over mixedToo much baking powder or flour

It’s Running-Over: Pan not large enoughToo much baking powder or sugarTemperature not high enough

Here we are at the beginning of July and the summer is really heating up. However you celebrate, remember to incorporate your holiday traditions with your family and no matter where you are, take time to be thankful for our freedom. I’m sure like most people, you are preparing your menus for the July 4th, celebration. That means grilling meats, cold salads, baked beans, corn on the cob, fruits of all kinds, etc. Now we have to put out the desserts, cookies, cupcakes, and pies, just to name a few. Just like any birthday party, the cake is always the most important part of your celebration. A birthday party with no tasty birthday cake will not make that event complete. Who can resist the aroma of fresh baked cakes and cookies wafting through the house? Whichever you choose to bake, you’re sure to please family and friends with these true classics from Hershey’s kitchen. Beautiful to look at, but it is time to have a slice of this very outstanding cake!

My third recipe is an alcoholic cocktail that you will not want to miss…. we have to have a drink to toast “America’s Birthday”…so what better way then with this very cool and refreshing drink. This elegant drink of Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur combines luscious chocolate flavor with the seductive flavor of strawberries to create a delicious smooth cocktail.

8 comments:

So much goodness here, I love it, Dottie! My hubby and older son are history buffs so I knew your trivia and was sort of amazed learning it back when. I read the book of John and Abigail's letters to each other since he was away so much and can imagine how they gave their all to celebrating the 4th, and we do the same to this day. There is a large park down the road from us where they have a fireworks display every 4th and we can watch it from home. Your goodies look delicious! Love that cake with the yummy frosting and cookies too. And the drink is awesome! I definitely have to try that! :-)Thanks for all your work on this great post, I really enjoyed the patriotism! Take care and have a very Happy 4th! Hugs

Dear Pam,Thank you for your lovely comment. So glad that you really enjoyed this post. I love that time period of 1776 with John Adams and Jefferson. I have not read that book but want to read it, on the letters of Abigail and John. It was a good book I would think. Where I live they do not have a park near by to have a firework display, but the HS down the road usually has something which I can see somewhat from my house. I am so happy that you enjoyed the recipes, they are tried and true, especially the cake, you can never go wrong with the cake or cookies. The cocktail is a new one but how delicious it is on a hot day and with chocolate no less. It was my pleasure to write this post and share my recipes with all of you. I wish you and your family a wonderful Happy July 4th and a safe one. Hugs Dottie :)

Happy Independence Day! It is a pleasure to read your blog Dottie. So much to read especially about history! So interesting. The cake and the chocolate chip cookies look great and the Martini cocktail is perfect to celebrate this important day.I wish you a good rest of the week my friend. Tanti tanti baci! Ciao!

Dear Alida,Thank you for such lovely words. I am so happy that you enjoy the blog and find it so interesting. I love to do research and I am learning as well as my followers. Yes, July 4th is a big deal here in the states and what better than chocolate anything is a welcomed friend on this Independence Day. I love the cake and cookies, but that cocktail Chocolate Strawberry Martini is a delicious way to celebrate. Thanks again for visiting, and you as well have a wonderful rest of the week...Ciao and Tanti Baci to you as well. Hugs Dottie :)

Dear Dottie, The chocolate cake and the chocolate chip cookies would disappear in a minute! They are delicious!I hope you have a beautiful long and peaceful weekend celebration.I hope that you are feeling better each day. xo Catherine

Dear Catherine,Thanks for visiting...so glad that you enjoyed this post on the Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I know they did disappear very quickly here too.. Thanks for your words about the long July 4th weekend..You as well dear friend, enjoy it with your family, be safe and I am doing better every day...Hugs Dottie :)

Dear John,Thanks for your visit. Glad that you enjoyed this post on tips and goodies for the July 4th holiday. You are correct dear friend, I never met a person that doesn't love Chocolate Cake or cookies. The Martini is so good as well. Have a wonderful rest of the week...Dottie :)

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Hi, Welcome, stay a while and enjoy reading my Blog, "Family Plus Food Equals Love." You'll find plenty of family stories and recipes shared. Family,Food and Love ties it all together so nicely, that you can't have one without the other. Sometimes I'll post about my life growing up in an Italian family but mostly you'll find recipes that have been passed down through the generations. I hope you come back often and please feel free to share your comments and thoughts on things you might like to see here! angellite13@optimum.net Thanks for visiting....